one day, as he
sat by the bedside of uncle Jacob, who was now in the last stage of his
disease. "Paul," said the dying man, "while I was robust, and
independent in means, I relied too much on these gifts of God, and too
little on the Giver of them. But now, when this frail wall, that shuts
the soul in from her world of kindred spirits, is nearly worn down, and
the glorious light of eternity shines through the chinks of this earthen
rampart, in all directions I see the necessity of having the soul
prepared, thoroughly washed, before she goes into a world of such purity
and justice; and you have convinced me, or, rather, God has taught me,
that it is only in that religion of which God alone is the Author that
the means of purification can be found. So, Paul, in God's name, take a
team, and go for the priest of God immediately; there is no time to be
lost. 'Tis consoling to reflect that there is a priest of God now to be
had on earth, as well as in the days of the ancient patriarchs. How
merciful God was," said he, soliloquizing, "in leaving us on earth a
priest, a representative of his divine Son, to prepare the soul for the
terrible voyage of eternity! All eternity is not too long to thank him
for this blessing."

Paul communicated the wishes of his dying brother to Mr. Ephraim Prying,
who answered, "Certainly, Paul; why not? Go for the priest; take the
best team--that black mare, there, is the fastest traveller. O my poor
brother, why will you leave us?" said he, as he rushed up to his
brother's bed room.

It soon went abroad that uncle Jacob was at the point of death; and all
the friends and many neighbors were assembled around the bed, and among
others Mr. Barker, the Methodist preacher, who thought, as the
Presbyterian dominie's nostrums were rejected by Jacob, his own, as
being more novel, might have the desired effect. And though these
several ministers were jealous each of the influence of his neighbor,
yet any thing with them was preferable to the priest. Let uncle Jacob
turn Turk, Jew, or Heathen, any thing but a Papist, and the six
sectarian teachers of the village of S---- were content.

"Now, brother Jacob," said his roaring reverence, after a long-winded
prayer, in which he professed to command great influence with the powers
above, "how do you feel? Tell us your experience, and what you see."

"I am afraid, if I tell ye what I think and feel," said the feeble
invalid, "ye may not like to hear it, and I